Heavyweight

Heavyweight often features grownups grappling with childhood trauma. But in today’s Heavyweight Short, Jonathan visits a place where children grapple with trauma in the present. At The Sharing Place, kids talk about things most adults can’t even face. A warning: This episode deals with sensitive topics like suicide and death. Credits This story originally ran on This American Life in 2015, and was...

When Hallie was 17, she spent a few minutes with a stranger who changed her life. A decade later, Hallie sets out to find her. Credits This Heavyweight short was hosted and produced by Kalila Holt, along with Stevie Lane, Mohini Madgavkar, and Jonathan Goldstein. Special thanks to Sam Reisman, Cheri Mantz and Dr. Lynd. The show was mixed by Catherine Anderson.  Music by Christine Fellows, Joh...

Happy holidays! In our last check in of 2020, Stevie confronts her grandfather with a question she’s been afraid to ask for over twenty years, and Kalila solves the mystery of an enigmatic gravestone. Mixed by Bobby Lord. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit  podcastchoices.com/adchoices See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jonathan speaks with Curtis Sittenfeld about her novel  Rodham , which deals with many of the themes we explore on  Heavyweight : things like returning to the past to change it, and the question of what our lives might have been like if we’d made one decision differently.  Rodham  is a novel about what Hillary Clinton’s life and political career might have looked like if she had never married Bill...

Jonathan, Stevie, and Kalila are back, to talk about Thanksgiving and music. Music and mix by Bobby Lord. Additional music by Sean, Ryan, Kevin, and Brian Jacobi. Find our playlist, "Goldstein's Party Faves to Get the Party Going," here Find Madeline Forman's music here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rachel and Jon are siblings who were separated as young children. Jonathan helps them confront the woman responsible... fifty years later. Credits Heavyweight is hosted and produced by Jonathan Goldstein. This episode was produced by Kalila Holt, along with Stevie Lane. Special thanks to Emily Condon, Alex Blumberg, PJ Vogt, Mohini Madgavkar, Nabeel Chollampat, and Jackie Cohen. The show was mixed...

Every time Annie’s family comes to town, they exclude her from their plans. Annie needs to know why. Credits This episode of Heavyweight was hosted and produced by Kalila Holt, along with Stevie Lane and Jonathan Goldstein. Special thanks to Emily Condon, Alex Blumberg, Mathilde Urfalino, Mia Bloomfield, Emma Munger, Zac Schmidt, Sam Reisman, and Jackie Cohen. The show was mixed by Bobby Lor...

How the worst McDonald’s commercial ever made came to be. And how Bobby got mixed up in it. Credits Heavyweight is hosted and produced by Jonathan Goldstein. This episode was produced by Stevie Lane, along with Kalila Holt. Special thanks to Emily Condon, Alex Blumberg, Chris Neary, Nazanin Rafsanjani, Phoebe Flanigan, Nabeel Chollampat, Jake Anderson, Billy Klein, Nicholas Papaleo, and Jack...

In 1995, Vivian’s uncle Helio died of AIDS. Now, 25 years later, Vivian’s on a search to find the man who cared for him until his death. Credits Heavyweight is hosted and produced by Jonathan Goldstein. This episode was produced by Stevie Lane. The senior producer is Kalila Holt. Special thanks to Emily Condon, Alex Blumberg, Caitlin Kenney, Mimi O’Donnell, Lydia Polgreen, Reyhan...

Mason Reese was the biggest child star of the early 1970's. Recently, he posted a YouTube video of himself crying. Jonathan sets out to discover why. This is a story Jonathan made for Reply All in 2015. The new season of Heavyweight starts next week. Credits This episode was produced by Jonathan Goldstein, along with Chris Neary, Tim Howard, Sruthi Pinnamaneni, PJ Vogt, and Alex Goldman. Editing b...

As we turn our attention back to producing classic Heavyweight episodes, we leave you with one last check in. SPOILER ALERT: This check in contains a special treat. Special thanks to Matthew Boll and Doug Barron. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

During these times of uncertainty and sadness, we bring you two stories of two women seeking the comfort of childhood. Amber and Eva are in search of their first grade teachers. Mix by Bobby Lord. Music by Christine Fellows, John K Samson , Bobby Lord, and Blue Dot Sessions. Further Reading: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/06/becoming-a-parent-in-the-age-of-black-lives-matter/612448...

Milestones and cramped houses. Mix by Bobby Lord. Music by Christine Fellows, Bobby Lord, and Blue Dot Sessions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jonathan surprises Stevie and Kalila with some special friends from seasons past who, wouldn’t you know it, are still in need of his help. Mix by Bobby Lord. Music by Bobby Lord, Christine Fellows, Blue Dot Sessions, and Connie Shi ( https://www.iamconnieshi.com/ ). We put together a Heavyweight playlist… fan and staff favorites. If you’re looking to introduce friends to the sho...

Stuck in new homes and old. Mix by Bobby Lord. Music by Christine Fellows and Bobby Lord. Also, we put together a Heavyweight playlist… fan and staff favorites. If you’re looking to introduce friends to the show, it’s a good place to start:  heavyweight.show/playlist . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A lot of people have been feeling lonely lately. So, they've been reaching out. Music by Christine Fellows and Bobby Lord. And Simon. Mix by Bobby Lord. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit  podcastchoices.com/adchoices See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jonathan, Stevie, and Kalila check in, to talk about what’s been going on in their lives, and in your lives, too. Mix by Emma Munger. Music by Christine Fellows, Blue Dot Sessions, and Bobby Lord. Special thanks to Paul Swensen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit  podcastchoices.com/adchoices See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Things are feeling strange and uncertain right now. So we on the Heavyweight team decided to record our day and share it with you. Mix and music by Bobby Lord. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit  podcastchoices.com/adchoices See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jonathan’s oldest friend, Marie-Claude, had a problem in high school. At 50, she thought it was behind her. But the problem’s recently returned with a vengeance. Lucky for Marie-Claude, her old pal Jonathan’s here to help in the Heavyweight season 4 finale. Credits Heavyweight is hosted and produced by Jonathan Goldstein. This episode was produced by Stevie Lane, along with Kalil...

After a drunken slip of the tongue, Steve Marsh and his siblings discover a secret their mother has been keeping for almost 40 years. Now, Steve wants to help his mom take action. Credits Heavyweight is hosted and produced by Jonathan Goldstein. This episode was produced by Kalila Holt, along with BA Parker and Stevie Lane. Editing by Jorge Just. Special thanks to Emily Condon, Lulu Miller, Hans B...

When Elyse was 21, her father, Billy, disappeared without explanation. When Elyse finally learned of his whereabouts, she was shocked by the new life he was living. Now, for the first time in five years, Billy and Elyse sit down to talk. Credits Heavyweight is hosted and produced by Jonathan Goldstein. This episode was produced by BA Parker, Kalila Holt, and Stevie Lane. Editing by Jorge Just. Spe...

In his twenties, Jonathan began seeing an inscrutable, mysterious therapist. After 6 years without progress, she told him it wasn’t working out because of him. 25 years later, Jonathan wants to know if it was really his fault. Credits Heavyweight is hosted and produced by Jonathan Goldstein. This episode was produced by Stevie Lane, BA Parker, and Kalila Holt. Editing by Jorge Just. Special thanks...

Eight years ago, when Scott was addicted to heroin, he crossed a line he thought he would never cross. And he’s been trying to uncross it since. Credits Heavyweight is hosted and produced by Jonathan Goldstein. This episode was produced by Stevie Lane, along with Kalila Holt and BA Parker. Editing by Jorge Just. Special thanks to Emily Condon, Alex Blumberg, Nathan Foster, Jacob Eppler, and...

Ashley’s grandmother, Beverley, had a hard life and an unhappy marriage. But she spoke frequently of a man named Van. Ashley believes Van was the great unfulfilled love of her grandmother’s life. And now, she wants to know: did Van feel the same way? Credits Heavyweight is hosted and produced by Jonathan Goldstein. This episode was produced by Kalila Holt, along with Stevie Lane and BA Parker. Edi...

Becky and Jo were raised by a procession of eccentric babysitters, 16 in total. But their favorite was Leticia. The girls adored her… right up until the day she mysteriously vanished. Twenty years later, Becky and Jo want to know what happened. Credits Heavyweight is hosted and produced by Jonathan Goldstein. This episode was produced by Kalila Holt, along with Stevie Lane and BA Parker. Editing b...